How to Choose a Moving Company

How to Choose a Moving Company

By: Jennifer DiLemme

Key Associates

www.keyassociates.biz

Not many of us move often enough to be ‘experts’.  We’ve all heard our share of moving horrors and perhaps experienced a few of our own.  Before you start making calls to moving companies, consider the following:

1. Recommendations, recommendations - - from friends, from professionals, or from a list that many moving companies can give you.  Get several and check them out thoroughly. 

2. Make a list of what you need:

Where are you moving?  What are your preferred dates?

Do you need packing supplies?  Do you need help packing/unpacking?

Do you have ‘special’ items that may need to be put in a container?

Do you have a piano?  Do you have many glass items?

Will you need storage facilities?  How much insurance will you need?  (Check with your agent to see what your homeowners/renters policy covers.)

3. Visit your state’s Movers Association website.  Here in North Carolina, visit North Carolina Movers Association Inc. at http://www.ncmovers.org and look at the link Consumer Tips under Featured Content.  This site offers great information for those moving, including a list of Moving Companies that have a Certificate of Exemption from the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) and are able to operate legally within NC. 

4. Once you decide on a mover, be sure you clearly understand their contract and that it contains language detailing:  

Price:  What will your move cost?  Is the price set or will it be based on actual weight?  Could the price increase and why?  What if the move costs less than estimated?  If the movers must stay the night at a location, are their lodging & food costs within the price quote?  

Payment:  How and when do you pay?  

Storage:  Do you need to store your items during the move?  Where exactly will this be?  Will you be informed or better yet ‘asked’ about storing in a different location? 

Damage:  Who is responsible for damaged items and how will they be replaced? 

Insurance:  Exactly how much insurance comes with the move and what would additional insurance cost?

Pickup and Delivery Time-frames:  Is the loading date correct?  Is the delivery schedule or delivery span acceptable?  What are your options if delivery schedules aren’t met? 

5. If using a long-distance van line, will they be able to offload at the destination site or will they need to transfer your belongings to a smaller truck for shuttling.  Should you consider using a company at the location you will be moving?  Would it be helpful to deal with issues at the end of the move with a local company?

If you need help or are in doubt about who to use, talk with a local move management company.  Most move managers have worked with many local movers and can offer you recommendations.  They can also arrange your entire move from packing to unpacking and complete new-home set up. 

Jennifer DiLemme is Marketing Director for Key Associates, a service company located in Flat Rock, NC.  Key Associates provides home management, move management, home staging and interior decorating services.  They specialize in working with seniors and those with special needs. 

August/2010